Faith, Family, and Freedom Concert

On Saturday we all went to the Faith, Family and Freedom concert at the zMax dragway in Concord.  Preston had been talking for weeks about seeing Mandisa sing the Good Morning song and both kids were super excited about seeing some fireworks!  The line up was incredible including Plumb, For King and Country, Mandisa, Sanctus Real, and Building 429!  Of course we bought the cheap $5 tickets, but as we were going in a youth pastor offered us free grand stand tickets and we gladly took them off his hands. :)  Because the youth that were supposed to be around us ALL were in the big mosh pit in front of the stage, we had several rows of empty seats all to ourselves and an incredible view!  We were in the shade, there was a nice breeze blowing, and the kids loved the show.  It was one of the best, most relaxing concerts I've ever been to. 

 

Unfortunately, the bands played super long sets and we decided, at 10:30pm, that we needed to leave before Building 429 started . . . and of course that meat we missed the fireworks too.  But our kids were so exhausted after a morning photo shoot and an afternoon outside that they were actually ready to go!  We promised they could use the 3D glasses when we go to see fireworks on 4th of July.   

Camp Invention

One of Savannah's many creations

This week Savannah participated in her first week long camp.  Earlier this year when she started saying she wanted a scientist birthday party, this was our compromise with a week long camp where she could do all kinds of experiments.  Camp Invention is a national program that uses local schools for a week long exploration of a predetermined topic.  I have to say I didn't know what to expect with her being at school all day (8:30 - 4:30), but she LOVED every second of it.  I was quite impressed with their focus on world problems and solutions too.  They did lots of team work activities, learned many interesting facts about geography, dug for fossils (Savannah found a sharks tooth), and spent countless hours making creations out of recycled items that everyone brought in.  They also were able to take in an old electronic item and literally destroy it to make something new.  Savannah had a blast taking apart an old VCR. 

Waiting for her swim lesson and still using Camp Invention materials to look for fossils in "rocks" they sent home with the kids

On a funny note, when Dave unhooked the VCR Sunday night to get ready for Monday morning camp, he forgot to reconnect the cable to the TV.  So on Monday night when the kids were winding down Preston tried to turn on the TV and it was all fuzzy.  He called for Dave and said that it was broken.  Dave was in the middle of drying Savannah's hair and was trying to explain it was because he took out the VCR.  Preston says to put it back and Savannah yells "we can't because I DESTROYED that at school today"!  Preston thought that meant they couldnt' watch the TV anymore so he started screaming and crying!  HA! 

Happy 4th Birthday Preston!!

 

It's hard to believe that 4 years have already passed since we welcomed this spunky, paci sucking, b carrying little boy into our lives!  He continues to bring laughter into our home, along with lots of curiosity and adventure.  If I had to make a list of Preston's favorite things right now, his sister would be at the very top, far above every other thing.  Preston has to be right where she is at all times, even sometimes sharing a chair together! He truly loves her and cherishes any time she will devote to playing with him.  They play restaurant, dress up, rocket ship, husband and wife (and also include the stuffed animals as their kids), do crafts together, and if he's really lucky she'll read him a story! 

 

Although he has given up the paci long ago, he still carries his blue b everywhere in the house.  Thankfully it doesn't leave the house so we don't risk losing it (lesson learned from child #1) but we often arrive at bedtime and are searching for "bluebee".  Preston has made HUGE progress with speech therapy, although he still struggles with blends.  We were at Chuck E Cheese's for his actual birthday and he was trying the tell the guy he wanted some smarties for his tickets . . . so we're standing there and he is literally screaming "I want some farties" to these 2 teenage boys. :) 

 

This is becoming a tradition to go to Chuck E Cheese on his actual birthday while daddy is working

 

Preston continues to be very curious and asks questions non-stop.  Literally. Non. Stop.  At least 4 times a day he asks specifically about tornados too.  He often asks about Heaven and wants to know when we're going there and is also very curious about how things work in general.  His laughter is contagious and we love seeing his little mind at work, even though it is exhausting to keep answering the questions. Preston, we pray the year ahead is filled with more fun and laughter as we continue to watch you grow and become all that God has planned for you.

 

I have no doubt Savannah is saying, "Now listen buddy . . . "

Celebrating Dave

I'm convinced that there is no way to know if someone will be a good mother or father until you actually have kids and are thrown into the fire of parenting.  So, when Dave and I said "I Do" 9 years ago this week, I hoped and prayed that he would be a good daddy (and that we'd be a good parenting team together).  Everything I knew about him indicated that he would be an awesome dad, but it wasn't until we actually starting having children that I realized what an incredible father (and husband) he is! 

To say that he is patient is an understatement, to say that he provides for our family would also greatly under represent his contribution to our family, and to say that our kids love their daddy would not even come close to explaining the admiration they have for the man they call dad. 

Dave, there are no words to thank you for the way you love each of us.  For putting in super longs days at work and then coming home to take over with the kids I am forever grateful.  Even with the kids demanding requests to play dress up and to help with riding their scooters, and my requests to mow the yard, clean the shower, and to be home "just a bit early", you always have a smile and gentle hand to guide the way.  You are such an gift to us and we love you to the moon and back!

Happy Father's Day and Happy Anniversary to the Love of My Life!!! 

Here's to many more years together!

Happy 7th Birthday Savannah!!

Somehow, between the chubby cheeks and B obsessions, our Savannah (aka Gracie Bell) turned 7 years old!  What a joy it is to watch her continue to grow and to start to become quite the little lady!  I couldn't help but take a quick walk down memory lane . . .

 

Some of Savannah's favorite things currently are:

1) Reading - this girl can be found reading at all hours of the day and night!  She loves a good book and quiet (brother free) time to read it.

2) Science - she is fascinated by facts and how things work.

3) Art & Crafts - oh yeah, she is still into making cards for people and is quite offended when I recycle her creations from school, church, etc.

4) Dancing - okay, generally she just loves to act crazy!  Add in a brother and you have one crazy dance party to some of dad's favorite songs.

5) Treats - I guess she gets from her mama, but she is always asking for a special candy or snack!

Savannah, you are a true joy to our family and definitely keep life interesting.  We love you so much and can't wait to see what God has planned for you!!

The Mad Science Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Savannah and Preston!!

Savannah started months ago planning her (and her brother's)  birthday party.  The very first thing she asked for was a scientist party where we could all do experiments . . . and I quickly shot that down.  I could just see myself spending weeks planning for stations of experiments and somehow trying to keep kids of all ages entertained.  Not going to happen.  So we talked her into doing a week long scientist camp at her school instead (see post coming up).  However, as the party date got closer Dave started doing some research and found this cool place in Charlotte that literally brings a scientist to you!  I checked out the company along with their reviews and after mentioning it to Savannah we knew it was a done deal!

The birthday kids with Dr. Fritz

An experiment with poking holes in a bag of water over Savannah's head

All of the kids making their own putty to take home

Setting up for the rocket launch

I have to say that it was honestly one of the coolest, most original parties we've ever had!  Kids of all ages were well entertained while the real scientist went through tons of experiments.  My two kiddos especially loved being able to help with the experiments too.  The grand finale was a rocket launch, which was quite impressive as well!  So after lots of experiments, some pizza, birthday cookie, and then some time on the park playground the friend party was a wrap.  Success!


Preston's WEE school friends

We then packed up and headed home to open presents and spend some time with our family.  Preston and Savannah were both super excited to get new ride on toys from Pawpaw.  Savannah got a motorized Razor scooter and Preston got a plasma car.  They were also thrilled to get Mandissa's CD with the Good Morning song from Great Grandma.  Here they are dancing to it!


Dance party to the Good Morning song

All in all it was a wonderful day filled with our nearest and dearest family and friends.  This will probably by the last year I can get away with one joint party, but what a way to end the tradition. :)

Our family!

Not Exactly a Fun Friday

On Thursday afternoon I noticed that the forecast for thunderstorms had changed to a severe storm warning that included large hail, damaging winds, and lots of rain.  In preparation I quickly heated up dinner, got our milk and drinks all poured, and started praying that we wouldn't lose power.  Around 6pm the inevitable happened and we lost all power.  At first it was a fun adventure, but after hours and hours of no power it was no longer fun for anyone!  I was up most of the night stressing over all of the food that would have to be thrown out in our freezers and continually checking ot see if Duke Energy had an update on when the power would be restored.  No update and still no power well into the morning daylight hours.  After using our handy dandy smart phones we were able to determine that the freezers should be okay up to 48 hours as long as they aren't opened, but the fridge was already past the saving point.  I picked up some ice on my way home from the YMCA and we iced our yogurts and as much fridge stuff as we could, but the 3 gallons of milk I bought in preparation for guests all weekend had to go. :( 

We tried to carry on with things as we usually would.  Thankfully it was a cool day and there was a nice breeze blowing too.  We also were super thankful that we had city water and a gas hot water heater which enabled us to have hot showers too.  Anyway, after Preston's ENT appointment (which determined that he does not currently need tubes and is hearing perfectly fine) and a stop by the grocery store to pick up the birthday cookies we headed home, still praying for an update of power restoration.  However, we arrived home and still had no power.  Duke Energy updated their system to say that power should be restored by 11pm on SUNDAY!!!

Now this simply was not going to work.  The kids party was set for Saturday and Dave's parents were on their way, set to arrive around 5pm.  We continued to pray and then decided to take a walk to ask the power men working on the lines for an update.  I went next door and got Ms. Marlene to walk with us and off we went to investigate.  Thankfully, after talking to the Pike crew they assured us that power would be back on by 6pm at the latest, but probably earlier.  Hallelujah!!!



Our grill has arrived!

We headed home just in time for our grill delivery.  I guess it was perfect timing for grilling out, but I had no clue when we bought the grill that we would not have power when it arrived.  I was working in the kitchen cleaning out the fridge when Preston screams, "Mom, there's a big truck outside."  I thought yes, I know, the grill is coming today. . . but had no clue they were sending our grill on a semi!!  Apparently the smaller trucks were all full and this is the only way they could bring our grill.  When the man arrived, I explained that we had no power and thanked him for bringing such a large truck to entertain my kids.  He loved the thought of entertaining them and asked if it was okay to let them sit in the fork lift and raise the pad up and down.



Savannah was first to try out the fork lift

Preston wanted to try too

Thankfully, our power was restored around 5:15, just 30 minutes before Dave's parents arrived from Georgia.  We had already planned to take them out for their anniversary so once Dave got home off to Chili's we went.

The day got even more adventuresome as Preston started complaining about a tummy ache right after we ordered dinner.  I thought he was just hungry, but we weren't quite that lucky.  Praise the Lord we had decided to eat on the patio because shortly after picking him up he threw up all over us both . . . TWICE!  We quickly packed up our dinner that was left and headed home to put the kids to bed.  It was the oddest thing because he slept all through the night and was perfectly normal all day on Saturday, eating pizza, cake and all.  Whew!  I'm just praying we dont' have any more power outages anytime soon because I'm not sure I can handle any more of that stress!